vision

Everyday

1. Vision is your ability to see; your eyesight. tree →
2. A vision is a picture in your mind of what something could be like in the future; a plan or dream. tree →
3. A vision can be something you see in a dream or imagine, as if it were real. tree →
4. Vision can mean the area you can see, as in «out of my vision». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, vision is one of the five senses; light enters the eye and the brain makes a picture. Eye tests check your vision; glasses help blurred vision. Safety: blind spots and peripheral vision (seeing at the sides) matter when crossing roads and around big vehicles, whose drivers have limited vision. In stories a vision can be a dream of the future. Phrases: «good vision», «blurred vision», «night vision», «field of vision», «a vision for».

Examples

• Eagles have amazing vision. tree →
• The optician tested my vision. tree →
• Glasses help people with poor vision. tree →
• Cats have good night vision. tree →
• The head teacher has a vision for a new playground. tree →
• In the story the girl had a vision of the future. tree →
• Look out of the side of your vision when crossing. tree →
• After the fall he had blurred vision, so he saw a doctor. tree →
• The Fox immediately had rosy visions of a very delicious breakfast. tree →

Note

Adjective: «visual» (to do with seeing). «Vision» for eyesight is uncountable; «a vision» for a dream or plan is countable. Myth: eating carrots does not give you night vision, though vitamin A helps eyes stay healthy.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, a vision is a message from God that a prophet sees, often at night or in a dream. In the prophets it is also the name for a prophet's book or message, as in Nahum, and Isaiah calls Jerusalem the Valley of Vision.

Interpretation. God spoke to Abraham, Jacob and Balaam in visions. Tradition counts these as prophecy. The prophetic books are read as visions that the prophets received and then spoke to the people.

Examples

• And God spoke unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said: 'Jacob, Jacob.' And he said: 'Here am I.' (Torah GEN.46.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• The saying of him who heareth the words of God, who seeth the vision of the Almighty, fallen down, yet with opened eyes: (Torah NUM.24.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying: 'Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield, thy reward shall be exceeding great.' (Torah GEN.15.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• The burden concerning the Valley of Vision. (Prophets ISA.22.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Samuel feared to tell Eli the vision. (Prophets 1SA.3.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. (Prophets NAM.1.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adjective: «visual» (to do with seeing). «Vision» for eyesight is uncountable; «a vision» for a dream or plan is countable. Myth: eating carrots does not give you night vision, though vitamin A helps eyes stay healthy.